Miguel Laboy, Del Sim and Emit Yolcu
The hot seat was a new experience for Del Sim. So was victory in the finals. He did both on Sunday, April 10, when he went undefeated at a Tri-State Tour stop, successfully navigating two matches versus Miguel Laboy to claim the title. The $462-added event drew 21 entrants to the Cue Bar in Bayside (Queens), NY.
Sim and LaBoy met first in a winners' side semifinal, as Emit Yolcu squared off against Tyrronnie Harlee in the other one. Sim took the first of two against Laboy 7-5. By the same score, Yolcu sent Harlee to the loss side. Sim claimed his first hot seat in a double hill win over Yolcu and waited in it for the return of Laboy.
On the loss side, Laboy picked up Riyadh Benghalem, who'd defeated Steve Kaminow 7-3, and Mike Harrington 7-2 to reach him. Harlee drew Pat Mareno, who'd eliminated Esteban Morrell 6-3 and survived a double hill battle versus Ambi Estevez. Laboy got by Benghalem 7-5, and was joined in the quarterfinals by Mareno, who benefited from a medical forfeiture by Harlee.
Laboy and Mareno battled to double hill, before Laboy finished it at 10-9 and turned to face Yolcu in the semifinals. Another double hill match ensued, with Laboy emerging for a shot at Sim in the hot seat.
Sim ended Laboy's loss-side streak and hopes for revenge. He claimed his first title with an 8-5 victory in the finals.
Tour representatives thanked the ownership and staff at the Cue Bar, as well as sponsors Ozone Billiards, Sterling-Gaming, Kamui Tips, Ron Vitello, Phil Capelle, BlueBook Publishing, Human Kinetics, and Bloodworth Ball Cleaners. With the Super Billiards Expo, scheduled for next weekend (April 14-17), and a subsequent Open Date, the next stop on the Tri-State Tour is scheduled for Sunday, May 1, and will be hosted by BQE Billiards and Bar in Jackson Heights, NY.
